Skilled with Various Platforms?

[David E]

I've been struck by various people in various venues about how they don't know, or refuse to learn, how to maximize various platforms.

My BIL uses his Glock 26 for nearly everything, but has owned a Beretta 92 longer. He hasn't yet mastered the DA/SA system. Actually, he hadn't even mastered the first DA shot. No DA or SA revolver experience at all. He owns a Colt 1911, but I would not trust his C&L skills.

Folks here gave said they flat out refuse to learn any platform that's not a big bore single action revolver.

On YouTube there are folks that excel in, say, AR15 reviews, but their incompetence with snubbies is astounding. (Yet, inexplicably, they deemed themselves qualified to make such a video anyway... )

So I wondered...do you take the time to learn the various platforms? If so, to what degree?

Passing familiarity? Just past the threshold of competent? Or are you not satisfied until you become very proficient?

I'm thinking about working my way thru the platforms on purpose to improve my skills and work with the idiosyncrasies of each one.

Anyone else?

 

[Sam1911]

I usually limit myself to one type of handgun at a time (striker fired, 1911, revolver, etc.) and will put in a year or more focusing on that one in competition and practice. Then switch to another platform and "campaign" that one for a year or whatever.

I find that I can really get the ability to run one type "into my hands" at a time and it takes a while (a month or more) to break myself out of that gun's patterns and really learn the next one (even if I'm learning it again having developed familiarity with it previously).

For example, these days I'm shooting my xDM 9mm. I could strap on the S&W 629 and run it in our next match, but I'm not going to be smooth and fast and confident with it unless I get out of "xDM mode" for a few weeks first.

I do try to develop basic competency with a variety of styles of guns, but to be honest, that's really all it is: "competency." I don't have time and money to ALSO shoot enough semi-auto carbine, lever-action rifle, skeet, trap, sporting clays, DCM/Highpower, smallbore, etc., etc., to really keep up respectable "proficiency" with them, let alone "mastery."

I can operate all those other guns safely, and will "do ok" with them. But each time I pick up a shotgun at my family's yearly sporting clays get-together (for example), I think, "Wow, I bet I could be really decent with this if I just got out and shot it once a week..." But that's not in the cards, so I have to settle for just "doing ok."

 

[David E]

I realize there are more platforms and shooting venues than most of us can pursue. That's why I limited it to handguns and kept competition out of the equation.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I like to know the basics of all handgun types, and how to use them. I like knowing that I can pick up any handgun and figure it out in a few seconds. I handle a lot of guns I have no intention of buying, just to examine the design and operation.

The designs that really interest me, I buy one and learn it. I am proficient with SA, SA/DA, and DA revolvers from X-Frames, down to jframes. I'm also proficient and know how to operate DA, SA/DA, and SAO semiautos. My collection currently includes a 1911, hammer SA/DA polymer, as well as a striker fired semiauto, and also DA/SA revolvers.

I try to master all of my guns, and a lot of handgunning pricipals are universal like trigger control and press, sight picture, and recoil management, though feel different from platform to platform, and gun to gun. However, I don't really consider myself a master of anything, because I haven't been shooting long enough to feel comfortable saying that.

I do however consider myself proficient in the use of about any handgun in current use. Some of the old models I have little experience in.

I like to know a little about every kind of gun.

 

[David E]

I recognize that some platforms, like the DA/SA style semi's are waning in popularity.

Clearly, one should first focus on guns they actually own. But my BIL owns two different platforms he has no intent on mastering, even tho he keeps one loaded and ready for home defense.

 

[MCgunner]

I've owned and competed with 1911s. Great platform, but not compatible with my revolvers which I refuse to give up. So, all my autos fire with a long DA pull of the trigger and no safety to remove, at least on the first round. My only exception is my NAA mini revolvers which I do carry, but I am so used to single action revolvers, that's not a problem. But, I've given up single action autos. I do like my revolvers and the .357 Magnum has been a favorite self defense round since I bought my Security Six in 1978. I normally pocket carry one of my pocket guns, though, unless going to the city or on a trip or something. My .357 carry is a belt gun.

I don't do "safe action" either.

 

[CWL]

I own dozens of firearms. I have no intention of "mastering" all of them.

Some are for SD/HD and I work with those regularly. The others are just for fun or purely for collecting. I see no reason to get to the point where I can claim to "master" these.

There are benefits to being good with one gun, one shotgun, one rifle, and since I have many many back-ups of the same platform, that's good-enough for me.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Some are for SD/HD and I work with those regularly

Me too. I'm definately more proficient with those specific guns. Though, my two HD guns, and my two carry guns include a striker fired XDs, two different SA/DA revolvers, and a hammer fired SA/DA HK45 next to the bed. That is three different types of guns in my regular rotation. Some would say that is a bad idea, but I operate all three instictively and efficiently.

 

[David E]

I was inferring defensive use of the various platforms, but that may include guns you might not think about at first. Do you carry a handgun hiking? Camping? Or hunting?

In one case, it might be a .22, in another a Ruger SP-101. Hunting, maybe it's a .44 magnum.

Have you practiced defensive shooting drills with it?

 

[Ed Ames]

I make a point of picking up unfamiliar platforms when I can. Sometimes I borrow, or buy try and sell. Sometimes I buy and keep them. The goal is familiarity so that if I need to use one I'm safe and at least minimally competent.

E.g. I have experience with DAO, SAO, DA/SA, SA/DA, striker fired, internal hammer, external hammer, intermittent decocker (decocks only when you push the lever), safety decocker (will not stay cocked as long as the safety is engaged), forward frame safety (e.g. Beretta 418), thumb frame safety, thumb mag release, heel mag release, slide stop, no slide stop, and so on for semi-auto. On the revolver side I've used side crane, top break, loading gate, and cylinder pin guns in DAO, SAO, DA&SA, with push latches, pull latches, double latches, and that isn't getting into the obsolete stuff.

Outside of the range/practice it is pretty much DAO pistols unless I have specific reasons to deviate from that. I don't hunt (yet) though.

 

[jmr40]

My Glocks and 1911's are the easiest to use interchangeably. Both have similar out of the box trigger pulls and while technically the Glock is DAO, both feel virtually the same to me. Those are my 2 favorites and what I'd reach for if danger were at the doorstep.

I have a Sig 226 and several magnum DA revolvers. I tend to think of the revolvers more as hunting tools and do most of my shooting with them SA. I am acceptably accurate with them in DA, or with the Sig in DA/SA at reasonably close range. Don't ask me to shoot anything DA at over about 10'.

Short version, I'm better with Glocks and 1911's. I could get by with most anything if I had to. At one point in time there aren't many I haven't either owned or at least tried.

 

[JohnBiltz]

I only have so much time and so much money. I'm expending it for the most part, where its most important, the guns I'm going to use in self defense. Being able to master every type of pistol I would say is valuable for an instructor but really that is it. I started with revolvers because back then revolvers were what people used. Progressed into the DA/SA automatics because that was what people used. I thought that the DA/SA issue was over emphasized at the time coming from a revolver background. For the last 20 years I shoot Glocks.

 

[mavracer]

For the most part I can operate most firearms with unconscious competence, I concider myself a jack of all trades in that I shoot many different diciplines with stightly above average results but I'm not great at any of them.
I also feel that people skills and situational awareness are far more important than the raw speed of your gun handeling skill.

 

[MrBorland]

Good question.

My first handgun was a 6-shot 4" S&W 686 speedloader-fed revolver. I made a decision right up front to master it before chasing gear & other platforms. I started competing with it in IDPA, since SSR is it's natural home.

Wanting to expand my repertoire, I started shooting an M&P40, and will also shoot it in USPSA Production. Eventually, I'll get a 1911.

And though I've never shot a match, I started practicing bullseye shooting with my MkIII. Availability of match rimfire ammo has put that on the back burner, though.

My most recent endeavor is some rifle work, picking up a good match-grade A2 AR15 and practicing for eventual High Power competition.

There are plenty of other avenues to work on, but as others noted, time and finances are finite, so I chose this current repertoire (action pistol/revolver & target rifle) to cover a pretty wide range, while still being narrow enough to gain proficiency with the time I've got available.

 

[MCgunner]

I was inferring defensive use of the various platforms, but that may include guns you might not think about at first. Do you carry a handgun hiking? Camping? Or hunting?

In one case, it might be a .22, in another a Ruger Sp-01. Hunting, maybe it's a .44 magnum.

Have you practiced defensive shooting drills with it?

Well, since you put it that way, my favorite hunting pistols are my two Blackhawks, 6.5" .357 magnum and 4 5/8" Blackhawk in .45 Colt and one single shot Thompson Center contender for which I have 4 barrels. The most used barrel is a .30-30 12" Hunter barrel with a 30mm Tasco Pro Point 2X taper dot optic. THAT thing will put 5 rounds into 3" at 200 yards to POA and is only 3" high at 100 yards. I've shot five deer and a few hogs with it. It'll kill anything native to Texas. I wouldn't use it on King Ranch Nilgai, but then, I'll never be able to afford to hunt the King or the Kenedy. If I did hunt nilgai, I'd take my 7mm Rem Mag with 160 Nosler Partitions.

I have toted either of my Blackhawks while hiking and scouting out in New Mexico. Hot .45 Colt is especially appropriate for bear country, though I never really worried much about black bear. I'm too old to get around out in those mountains anymore, though. My knees would give out if the rest of me didn't.

BUT, I really like single action revolvers, product of the late 50s/early 60s westerns I guess. I have a few cap and ball guns, too. I just bought a .45ACP conversion cylinder for my Pietta 5.5" '58 Remington and have been having big fun with it. Nice not having to give it a soapy bath after the fun, just clean it like my modern revolvers.

I've given consideration over the years of hunting with my Ruger Old Army cap and ball. A 220 grain Lee HP conical pushs over 1300 fps out of that gun packed full of 777 (some amazing stuff) and could do a pig in post haste as well as a deer. But, to date, I haven't done it. I've owned a Ruger Old Army for 35 years now and haven't tried it.

Squirrel hunting used to be done with a scoped .22 barrel on my TC, but I have another now, a scoped Ruger Mk 2 that is almost as accurate, can put 5 rounds into an inch at 50 yards. Then there's the .410 barrel for the Contender that I play with from time to time, shot a running rabbit at 17 yards once, a few rattlers, and a few starlings.

No, I really don't practice defensive with these guns, but I do with my SR22 which often accompanies me on fishing trips and I carry around the place. It's DA and the skills cross over to other DA guns and I don't have to chase brass with it.

 

[MCgunner]

Oh, I do draw and point shoot cowboy style with my 5" Pietta '51 Navy. It points SO naturally, it's fun to do this on a B27. It's a brasser, so I don't load it hot, easy to get off quick second shots with, but wouldn't call 'em "double taps". LOL The cap and ball stuff is just danged fun and I've been shooting cap and ball for 40 years.

 

[CraigC]

Folks here gave said they flat out refuse to learn any platform that's not a big bore single action revolver.

Who said that???

 

[Zaydok Allen]

This is the latest rant I was forced to endure on that topic from a thread I started.

I am in my seventh decade and YOU did not know enough to write and ask the CORRECT question....!!!
There are single action revolvers and there are those, ALL THE REST, that wish they were SINGLE ACTION SIXGUNS !
We will give a nodding glance to the Double Action sixguns even though they are a MILLION miles ahead of all the shellshuckin' sumbiscuits that are nothing more than noisy fugly slingshots. YES...I own more than a hundred, ALL noisy trash....from the SIG 210's on down.....
And so it goes...

Doesn't specify big bore, but SA is stated. Some people are pretty close minded. I think they are the minority on THR though. Most folks acknowledge that while they have a certain preference, it doesn't negate the utility of other platforms.

 

[CraigC]

I don't see where he said that.

The guy that said that ain't closed-minded. He's just an opinionated ole fart but came about it honestly. Shooting is his profession. With over a million rounds downrange, he can probably shoot circles around 98% of the people who post here.

 

[Ankeny]

I know you are talking about defensive use, but several years ago I decided I wanted to make Master class in USPSA in all divisions. That was before single stack division, but I did use a 1911 in Limited 10. I shoot pretty well with my carry guns, a Colt Commander, a 642 J-Frame Smith, a S&W M&P Shield, and a Sig .380 auto. I also have substantial trigger time behind full size M&P, full size XD, and Glock models 26, 19, and 17.

 

[MrBorland]

several years ago I decided I wanted to make Master class in USPSA in all divisions.

You did that in one stroke when you made GM, no?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I see your point Debate Team Craig. (JK). He didn't say he wouldn't learn proficiency with different guns, he just implied all other guns were junk.

Fair enough.

Anyway....

 

[Hometeached1]

I try to shoot/handle as many different handguns as I can since I may have to use a firearm that is different than the one I use in a SD situation, plus shooting is FUN! I by no means have mastered any of them, but feel proficient with a few of them. Still have not shot a SAO revolver (Colt SAA) or a squeeze cocking pistol (HK P7).

I think the whole "DA/SA is to hard" phase is silly, especially when the guy that said it just told me how important it is to ride the reset on a Glock (which I do). Just my two cents.

 

[huntsman]

But my BIL owns two different platforms he has no intent on mastering, even tho he keeps one loaded and ready for home defense.

Maybe he needs to sell them and buy more Glocks.

 

[David E]

Who said that???

Nobody worth mentioning.